Support groups can give survivors and caregivers a sense of community and identity.
In addition to the programs provided by Brain Injury Services for our clients and caregivers, below are groups and programs available in the community. Brain Injury Services does not host the programs below. Please verify the information and/or RSVP by calling or emailing with the provided information.
CLiC Social – December 2023
Wednesday, December 20
7 – 8 PM
Facilitator: Masoom Modi
Registration through 12/20/23: https://bisolutions.webex.com/weblink/register/r8ef60ae7af58eb946b1c47fd71eadef6
Front Royal Stroke Support Group
Monday, January 1
4:30 – 6 PM
Meetings are on the first Monday of the month in the Front Royal, VA area. Locations will be determined based on activity.
Contact: Juhi Vora, CCC-SLP, at 812-369-9180 or jvora@valleyhealthlink.com
Fredericksburg Stroke Support Group
Tuesday, January 2
6:30 – 8 PM
Virtual or in-person, the John Fick Conference Center, 1301 Sam Perry Blvd, Fredericksburg
Free monthly support group for stroke survivors and caregivers. Meets the first Tuesday of the month. Contact: Susan Halprin at 540-741-4815 or Susan.halpin@mwhc.com
Inova Fairfax Stroke Survivors and Caregivers Support Group
Tuesday, January 2
7 – 8:30 PM
Share your story and help others. Learn about reducing the risk for stroke and find community services available to you. Meeting on the first Tuesday of the month.
Contact: Katy Brown at 703-776-3715 or Katherine.brown2@inova.org
Virtual Meeting
Wednesday, January 3
6 PM
BIAV offers caregivers a safe place to receive support and strength and share their experiences with others. Meeting on the first Wednesday of the month.
Contact: Debra at debra@biav.net
Trauma Survivor Network Trauma Patient Support Group
Thursday, January 4
6 – 7:30 PM
This monthly support group for trauma survivors offers support, coping skills, and education. VHC Health hosts a virtual meeting on the first Thursday of every month.
Contact: Courtney Caton at ccaton@vhchealth.org
CLiC Care
Tuesday, January 9
7 – 8:30 PM
A free online support group for brain injury survivors, caregivers, and loved ones across Virginia. Meeting on the second Tuesday of each month.
Contact: Stacey Nichols at stacey@bisolutions.org
VHC Health Stroke Survivor’s Group
Wednesday, January 10
5:30 – 7 PM
1851 N. George Mason Dr, Garden Level Conference Room, Arlington — Attend in-person or virtually. Our group provides friendship, education, and information on resources. Meeting on the second Wednesday of every month.
Contact: strokesurvivors@vhchealth.org
Love Your Brain Yoga
Tuesday and Thursdays, January 16 – Feb 1
5:00 – 6:15 PM
MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, First Floor, 102 Irving St NW, Washington, DC
A FREE 6-week yoga program designed to build community and resilience! Classes are intentionally adapted for TBI: gentle yoga to improve balance and strength, meditation to enhance relaxation, positivity, and concentration, group discussion to connect with others with shared experiences, and participants can participate from a chair, wheelchair, or mat.
Contact: Becky Van Beusekom at rebecca.l.vanbeusekom@medstar.net
Lollipop Workshop: Resources and Tools for Triggers and Stress Reduction for Everyday Life Situations
Thursdays, January 18- March 21
11 AM – 12:30 PM
10-week workshop via Zoom. There are only eight openings for brain injury survivors.
Why Lollipop? Lollipops have been scientifically proven to promote self-soothing behavior.
Topics will include Emotional Resilience, Self- Regulation, Grounding, Imagery, Journaling, Containment, Safety and Warning Signs, Relaxation: Mental, Physical, Psychological, Boundaries, Crisis Plan and Recovery, Putting this all together for Everyday Life, Summary.
Contact: Melinda Reed at Revmreed@iCloud.com
Short Story Book Club
Thursday, January 18
2 – 2:40 PM
A former Arlington County Public Librarian, Dyann Scheele, will lead this group.
Short Story reading paired with sharing insights about each selection and the reading experience among group members. Open to everyone!
Rekindle your love for reading through gentle pacing and material suitable for individuals working through aphasia and vision strategies.
The group will read “The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction, Fourth Edition,” by R.V. Cassill. Available for purchase from Thriftbooks.com.
Contact Dyann Scheele at dyannflute@gmail.com
Stroke & Brain Injury Support Group
Thursday, January 18
4 – 5 PM
An in-person AND virtual support group to share personal experiences, listen to others with a stroke/brain injury history, and learn about new research and information. Meeting on the third Thursday of every month.
Contact Hannah Balberde at Hannah.Balberde@Encompasshealth.com
Living With Brain Injury Support Group
Every Friday
10 AM – 12 PM
The Living with Brain Injury group is a unique and supportive community of individuals recovering from brain injury. This support group is intended to improve our recovery experience through respectful sharing and connective experiences.
Contact: Kristen Galles at kgalles@comcast.net
OrderAhead: Fredericksburg Area
OrderAhead is a fast, private, and easy way to order free groceries online.
https://www.orderahead.org/ and click the blue [Get Started] button in the lower left corner.
Virtual Support Group
Tuesday, January 23
6 PM
BIAV offers a group for people with brain injury, their families, and friends. The group is a safe place to explore the challenges of brain injury and exchange ideas and information with others who really “get it.” Meeting on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
Contact Christine Baggini at christine@biav.net
CLiC Forward – A Matter of Balance
Mondays, January 8 – March 4
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
This free and online national program centers around fall education, recognizing and preventing fall risks, and seated balance exercises. This program is for adult BI survivors, caregivers, adults over 60, or persons with disabilities.
Register: https://forms.office.com/r/gKJxQy99DQ
Contact: Stacey Nichols at stacey@bisolutions.org
Speaking on Purpose
First and Third Wednesday
12 PM
Many people join Toastmasters to become better speakers. Speaking on Purpose is a supportive online community for those with physical and neurological impairments, such as brain injury, to come together, practice speaking, learn new skills, and have fun!
Learn more: https://sop.toastmastersclubs.org/
The Helping Hands Stroke Club
Every Friday
1 – 2 PM
Meeting topics vary and include open discussions, guest speakers, fitness demonstrations, cooking classes, potlucks, health expos, game days, and creative therapies such as art and music therapy.
Learn more: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/speech-hearing/services
Music Therapy Support Group for Caregivers and Care Partners
Anderson Music Therapy is hosting a monthly music therapy support group for caregivers and care partners of individuals.
Contact Rachel Lofton at Rachel@amusictherapy.com or 540-384-1788.
Love Your Brain Online Caregiver Retreat
Thursdays, January 30th – March 5th, 2024
3-5 PM
LYB’s Online Caregiver Retreat provides you with new tools, resources, and the community needed to sustain – and thrive – in your role because your compassion and support are invaluable. Meet weekly on Zoom.
Learn more: https://www.loveyourbrain.com/caregiver-retreat
CLiC Foundation
Tuesdays and Thursdays, February 2023 – April 25, 2023
Time TBD
Facilitator: Kyleigh Agamaite
A cognitive compensatory curriculum designed to improve day-to-day life; focuses on memory / planning / executive function and improving social connection. Open to adult BI survivors across the state of VA.
Register by January 5, 2023: https://forms.office.com/r/DqNB6tF9n9
Love Your Brain Online Yoga, Mindfulness & Education
Free six-week online programs offer peer support and tools for anyone looking to cultivate mental flexibility, physical strength, positive thinking, and more!
Learn more: https://www.loveyourbrain.com/mindset
Research Opportunity
Research Area: Resiliency after TBI
Principal Investigator: Dr. Tamara Bushnik
Understanding Resiliency in individuals who have experienced a traumatic brain injury.
Contact: Amanda Gahlot at 814-449-5436 or Amanda.gahlot@nyu.edu
Internship Opportunity
The John Hudson Summer Internship Program
College Students or Recent College Graduates with a Disability
The Fairfax Area Disability Services Board established an internship program for college students and recent college graduates with disabilities. The internship program provides participants with on-the-job experience, professional development, and training opportunities.
Eligibility Requirements
Any college student (including law students and graduate students) or recent college graduate who self-identifies as an individual with any disability is invited to apply. You will not be required to disclose your specific disability; however, your application for this program will signify that you consider yourself a person with a disability.
More information and the application can be found here:
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/disabilities/john-hudson-internship-program
